‘Lack of adequate kits and masks for docs main worry’

MUMBAI: With the rise in coronavirus cases, health care providers are facing an acute shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, medical masks, gowns or coveralls and respirators, such as N95 masks.

The state said it has floated tenders for the immediate procurement of PPE through Haffkine Institute. “We are already looking into the matter and are trying to resolve it,” state health minister Rajesh Tope told HT.

Sir JJ Group of Hospitals has received the state’s nod to set up a 90 bed-capacity isolation ward but is awaiting protective gears. “We will need 500-1,000 kits every day, once we start the coronavirus isolation wards.due to the sudden demand for PPE, manufacturers aren’t able to meet the target,” said Dr Pallavi Saple, dean of the hospital.

Medical practitioners at Gokuldas Tejpal Hospital, which also comes under the JJ Group, has received the state’s nod to open a 250-bed isolation ward along with a 20-bed ICU for Covid-19 patients.

However, the situation is the same at this hospital. “Until we have an adequate number of PPE for the next 15 days, we can’t assure that we can start the facility,” said Dr Saple.

Medical experts have blamed the government for the lack of preparedness during the global outbreak of coronavirus.

Abhay Pandey, national president, All Food and Drug Licence Holder Foundation (AFDLHF), said, “Due to the sudden demand, the manufacturing price of PPE has also increased by three times. When China reported its first outbreak, the Indian government should have taken cognisance and stopped the export of materials. They waited till February, which was too late.”

Meanwhile, the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) wrote to chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, stating that due to lack of PPE, five medical students have been quarantined after working at the international airport, Seven Hills Hospital and Kasturba Gandhi Hospital.

MUMBAI: With 39 residents asked to stay home quarantined after returning from a foreign country, Ashok Gardens society at Sewri is taking special precautions to stay safe, amid the Covid-19 outbreak.

The society has created a database for the self quarantined to provide them essential services at their doorstep. “We started this more than a week ago. All those coming from abroad were